Hellen Obiri destroys strong field to win New York City Marathon

ATHLETICS Hellen Obiri destroys strong field to win New York City Marathon

Abigael Wafula 19:15 - 05.11.2023

Hellen Obiri, who finished sixth last year, cut the tape in 2:27:23 ahead of Letesenbet Gidey and defending champion Sharon Lokedi who finished second and third respectively.

Reigning Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri on Sunday put up a good fight to clinch top honours at the New York City Marathon.

Obiri, who finished sixth last year, cut the tape in 2:27:23 ahead of Letesenbet Gidey and defending champion Sharon Lokedi who finished second and third respectively.

The women’s race started off with more than 10 strong women fighting for top honours in the deep field. Passing the 5km mark, Edna Kiplagat led the pack with Hellen Obiri and Viola Cheptoo running in second and third place.

Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei and defending champion Sharon Lokedi were running in fifth and sixth places.

Passing the 10km mark, Americans Kellyn Taylor and Molly Huddle had now taken charge. Ethiopia’s Fantu Zewude was running in third place. Mary Ngugi and Lokedi were now running in fourth and fifth place.

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Taylor was leading the pack as they passed the 15km mark with Cheptoo in second place. Kosgei was in fifth place while Kiplagat was closely following her.

As the women passed the 20km mark, Zewude was in charge as Ngugi was running closely behind her. Taylor was now running in third place while Lokedi was looking comfortable in fourth place.

At the halfway mark, Taylor was still leading the pack and Solange Jesus had now climbed to second place. Lokedi was running in third place.

Taylor led the park as they passed the 25km mark and she was still closely followed by Cheptoo as Obiri was running in third place.

Kiplagat then took charge at the 30km mark as Ngugi was running in second place. Taylor and Huddle were now running in third and fourth places with Cheptoo now running in fifth place.

Defending champion Lokedi then took charge at the 35km mark with Kiplagat running in second place. Kosgei was now running in third place.

As the athletes passed the 40km mark, Lokedi was still leading and she looked comfortable for title contention but was closely being followed by Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey and Obiri.

However, Obiri was looking very comfortable as the athletes approached the home straight and she put up a good fight to cross the finish line first in 2:27:23. Gidey and Lokedi finished second and third in respective times of 2:27:29 and 2:27:33.

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